Concord Grape Cornmeal Cake Recipes

HARVEST GRAPE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
• Make the batter: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until they lighten in color, 8 to 10 minutes. Slowly add the eggs, milk and 1/4 cup olive oil. Remove the bowl from the mixer and stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture.
• Thoroughly grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform cake pan with the extra butter. Pour the batter into the pan.
• Meanwhile, in a small skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil followed by 1 cup halved grapes. Saute for 1 to 2 minutes, then stud them into the top of cake batter, skin-side up in an even layer. Place cake in the center of the oven. Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Meanwhile, slice the remaining grapes into medium thick slices. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the honey in a small saute pan. Bring to a light simmer over low heat. When it bubbles, about 2 to 3 minutes, add the sliced grapes and the lemon juice. Remove from the heat and pour over the cake. Serve with whipped cream.

CONCORD GRAPE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Make the filling: Combine the grapes, apple and water in a medium Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Cover and cook until most of the grapes pop and shrivel, about 12 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and stir in the granulated sugar. Cook, stirring often and mashing with a potato masher occasionally to crush the apple, until the filling is thick and syrupy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour three 8-inch round cake pans; line the bottoms with parchment paper. Sift the flour, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl. Beat the granulated sugar and vegetable oil in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until it looks like wet sand, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl and add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla; beat on high speed until light, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour. Continue beating until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pans, then invert onto racks; remove the parchment and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the topping: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk the egg whites in a medium bowl until just foamy. Spread the granulated sugar in a pie plate or shallow bowl. Dip the grapes in the egg whites, letting any excess drip back into the bowl, then roll in the sugar. Transfer the sugared grapes to the prepared baking sheet. Freeze at least 30 minutes.
• Make the frosting: Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar, then the vanilla. Increase the mixer speed to medium high and beat until very light and fluffy, about 2 more minutes.
• Assemble the cake: Put 1 cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread about one-third of the grape filling on the cake, then top with another cake layer and half of the remaining filling. Top with the third cake layer. Cover the top and side of the cake with the frosting. Refrigerate to set the frosting, 15 to 20 minutes. Spread the remaining filling on top of the cake, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Arrange the frozen grapes around the border.